National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, has described the appointment of Senator Ibrahim  Oloriegbe as Chairman of the NHIA Governing Council as a significant step toward revitalising health financing reforms in Nigeria.

Its Director-General, Dr Kelechi Ohiri made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Abuja.

NAN reports that President Bola Tinubu had approved the appointment of Oloriegbe, a medical doctor and former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health during the 9th Assembly.

Ohiri noted that the NHIA leadership had a “highly engaging and productive meeting” with the new council chairman and expressed optimism about renewed efforts to ensure affordable, inclusive and sustainable healthcare for all Nigerians.

“Oloriegbe has long been a strong advocate for accelerating financial access to quality and affordable healthcare.

“We look forward to working with him and the council to advance equitable and inclusive health financing reforms across the country,” Ohiri said.

He  added that Oloriegbe played a pivotal role in the passage of the NHIA Act during his tenure in the Senate and his return to the health policy space was seen by many stakeholders as timely and strategic.

Ohiri expressed confidence that under Oloriegbe’s leadership, NHIA would successfully drive the implementation of its mandate and catalyse reforms that would protect millions of Nigerians from catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditure.(NAN)

Member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Aminu Daji is dead, an official has said.

Public Relations Officer of the Assembly, Bello Madaro confirmed the death to newsmen yesterday in Gusau.

Daji represented Kaura Namoda South Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

Madaro said the lawmaker died in his Gusau residence on Tuesday, following a brief, undisclosed illness.

“Until his death, the lawmaker was the chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Humanitarian Affairs,” Madaro said. (NAN)

By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel

The FCT Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Project, as part of its Technical Assistance and Capacity Building activities for Staff of Relevant Public Institutions in the territory, conducted a training session for field officers on good agricultural practices (GAP) for Technical staff of FCT Agricultural Development Programme in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The FCT- Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) Coordinator, Hajiya Umma Abubakar who was represented by the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Dr. Omole Olateju, during the training on Tuesday said the primary objective of the training is to build the capacity of FCT ADP field officers to train farmers  on Good Agricultural Practices with a view to improving their production, productivity and promoting the adoption of best practices in agriculture. 

According to her, the training on good agricultural practices is a significant step towards enhancing the capacity of field officers and improving agricultural productivity in the FCT. With the support of SAPZ project, farmers in the six area councils can look forward to increased access to extension services, improved productivity, and enhanced food security.

“The SAPZ program she said, is a collaborative initiative between the Nigerian Government, the African Development Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank. Its primary goal is to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector by creating agro-industrial hubs that drive productivity, enhance food security, and create jobs.”

She hinted that the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Project with funding from the Islami Development Bank is establishing an Agro-Industrial Hub in Paikon Kore, Gwagwalada Area Council, and two Agricultural Transformation Centres(ATCs), in Paikon Kore and Karshi grazing reserves in Gwagwalada and Municipal Area Council respectively. 

This hub focuses on the beef and dairy value chains, aiming to boost agricultural productivity and economic growth, particularly in the Territory and  in Nigeria at large.

The Acting Programme, FCT-ADP, Mr. Godfrey Ugwoke expressed his appreciation to the Project Implementation Unit of the FCT SAPZ for the support provided to the FCT ADP by the project. 

He said the training program will equip field officers with the knowledge and skills necessary to train farmers in rural areas on best practices in agriculture. This approach is designed to reach a larger number of farmers, as it is not feasible for all farmers to attend the training sessions in person.

According to him, the training program covers various aspects of agriculture, but specifically some selected livestock and crops value chains. Subject matter specialists in these fields are trained to provide expert guidance to farmers, enhancing their productivity and efficiency.

One of the participants, Cheri Gershom Daudu from Kuje area council appreciated the organizers, saying the training has equipped him with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide effective extension services to farmers in his area.

Also, Obinatu Felicity Cynthia, a participant from the Gwagwalada Headquarters, expressed her appreciation for the training program, highlighting its relevance and timeliness. “The training is expected to benefit farmers, particularly with the upcoming rainy season, saying the training program has received positive feedback from participants, who recognize its potential to benefit farmers and enhance agricultural productivity in the six area councils.

By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja

Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory,(FCT).Dr. Mariya Mahmoud has said that noticiable improved infrastructural development within the territory was achieved as a result of the unwavering commitment of the President Bola Tinubu towards transformation of the FCT.

The Minister stressed that under his leadership, the Federal Capital Territory has witnessed remarkable improvements in road networks, urban development, and key public infrastructure that enhanced the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

Mahmoud made this commendation at the official unveiling of Guzape Mall in the heart of the nation’s capital city of Abuja.

At the ceremony, the minister described the mall as a vibrant commercial hub that would serve the growing needs of the communities in Guzape and beyond.

“This mall represents progress, vision, and the spirit of development that continues to define Abuja as modern, and one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It is a place for connection, for opportunity, for business growth, and for leisure.

“It provides a platform for local entrepreneurs, job creation for our youths, and a modern space where families and friends can gather and enjoy quality services,” she added.

She further noted that the administration’s dedication to modernizing Abuja through sustainable and strategic projects was a testament to its vision for a prosperous and well-connected capital.

According to her, “These developments not only boost economic growth but also reinforce Abuja’s status as a world-class city.”

On her part, the Group Managing Director of Abuja Investment Company Limited, Amb. Maureen Tamuno said the Guzape mall was developed with a development partner, Messrs. Urban Shelter Limited, to demonstrate yet another successful public-private partnership geared towards the advancement of the rapidly populating Guzape District.

She revealed that the Guzabe Mall has provided hundreds of jobs for the locals during the construction period, as the mall opens the door to many more job opportunities in retail, services, hospitality, and
maintenance.

Tamuno commended the FCT Administration under the leadership of Barrister Nyesom Wike, and other stakeholders who have played a role in the construction of the Guzabe Mall.

Guzape Mall sits on 1.45 hectares of land, and only 27% of the land is built up area to allow for adequate circulation per Abuja’s development requirements. It also has over 200 parking spaces and 46 commercial spaces.